Release Detail

September 23, 2004 - Hurricanes Blow Bush Into Lead In Florida,
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds;
Senate Race Is Too Close To Call

President George W. Bush leads Democratic challenger John Kerry 49 - 41 percent, with
5 percent for independent candidate Ralph Nader, among Florida voters, according to a
Quinnipiac University poll released today.

This reverses Kerry's 47 - 41 percent lead among registered voters in an August 12
poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN uh-pe-ack) University.

With Nader out of the race, Bush has a 48 - 43 percent lead over Kerry.

Voters also approve 87 - 9 percent of the way Gov. Jeb Bush has responded to the
hurricanes, pushing Gov. Bush's overall approval to 62 - 30 percent, up from a
45 - 44 percent split August 12.

"The ill winds of the hurricane season have blown a lot of political good for
President Bush in Florida pushing him ahead of Sen. John Kerry who led in the Sunshine
State in August," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University
Polling Institute.

"When a chief executive shows up in a time of crisis acting like a strong leader, his
support rises dramatically. That's what the hurricanes have done for President Bush - and
his brother, Gov. Jeb Bush in Florida," Richards added.

54 - 37 percent that Bush does a better job explaining what he will do as President.

"The hurricanes were indeed ill winds for Kerry who loses badly to Bush when
voters are asked which candidate acts more like a leader and which one gives a clearer
view of what he would do as President," Richards said.

Florida voters say 46 - 49 percent that going to war in Iraq was the wrong thing to
do. Only 40 percent say the U.S. economy is 'excellent' or 'good,' while 59 percent say
it is 'not so good' or 'poor.'
Senate Race

"The Senate race is a dead heat right now as Florida voters struggle to learn about
two candidates who have been competing with hurricanes and presidential candidates for
the political spotlight. Both Martinez and Castor are unknown factors to about four in 10
Florida voters," Richards said.

From September 18 - 21, Quinnipiac University surveyed 819 Florida registered
voters with a margin of error of +/- 3.4 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and
the nation as a public service and for research.
For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu and quicklinks

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jeb Bush is handling his job as
Governor?

App Dis DK/NA

Sep 23, 2004 62 30 8
Aug 12, 2004 45 44 11
Jun 29, 2004 47 42 12

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling
its job?

App Dis DK/NA

Sep 23, 2004 51 34 15
Aug 12, 2004 41 42 18
Jun 29, 2004 39 42 18

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bill Nelson is handling his job
as United States Senator?

App Dis DK/NA

Sep 23, 2004 47 19 34
Aug 12, 2004 42 18 40
Jun 29, 2004 48 16 36

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bob Graham is handling his job
as United States Senator?

App Dis DK/NA

Sep 23, 2004 59 23 18
Aug 12, 2004 56 21 23
Jun 29, 2004 58 21 21

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his
job as President?

App Dis DK/NA

Sep 23, 2004 50 47 3
Aug 12, 2004 44 54 3
Jun 29, 2004 46 52 2

TREND: If the election for president were being held today, and the candidates
were John Kerry the Democrat and George W. Bush the Republican for whom
would you vote?